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Upturn AI SWOT - About
SCL 
Stepan Company (SCL)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
09/16/2025: SCL (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
2 Analysts rated it
Very few follow this stock; limited insights, higher-risk early investing.
1 Year Target Price $85
1 Year Target Price $85
| 0 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 1 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -30.75% | Avg. Invested days 31 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/16/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 1.10B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 19.16 | 1Y Target Price 85 |
Price to earnings Ratio 19.16 | 1Y Target Price 85 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 2 | Beta 0.96 | 52 Weeks Range 43.59 - 79.98 | Updated Date 09/15/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 43.59 - 79.98 | Updated Date 09/15/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 3.18% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.54 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 2.57% | Operating Margin (TTM) 3.06% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 2.05% | Return on Equity (TTM) 4.77% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 19.16 | Forward PE 12.02 | Enterprise Value 1707302928 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.49 |
Enterprise Value 1707302928 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.49 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.76 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.35 | Shares Outstanding 22616400 | Shares Floating 21439254 |
Shares Outstanding 22616400 | Shares Floating 21439254 | ||
Percent Insiders 4.61 | Percent Institutions 85.78 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Stepan Company
Company Overview
History and Background
Stepan Company was founded in 1932 by Alfred C. Stepan Jr. Initially focused on producing surfactants, it has expanded into specialty chemicals and polymers, growing through acquisitions and internal development.
Core Business Areas
- Surfactants: Stepan's surfactant business produces ingredients used in detergents, shampoos, and other cleaning and personal care products.
- Polymers: The polymers segment manufactures products used in insulation, adhesives, coatings, and elastomers.
- Specialty Products: This segment offers products tailored to specific applications such as food, agriculture, and oilfield industries.
Leadership and Structure
Scott Behrens is the President and CEO. The company is structured with functional divisions focusing on manufacturing, sales, and R&D, with a board of directors overseeing strategy.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Anionic Surfactants: These are used in laundry detergents and dish soaps. Stepan has a significant share of the North American market. Competitors include Clariant and BASF. Revenue data not available to the public.
- Phthalic Anhydride: Used in the production of plasticizers and resins. Stepan is a major North American producer. Competitors include Koppers and Polynt-Reichhold. Revenue data not available to the public.
- Polyurethane Polyols: Used in insulation and other applications. Stepan is a player in this market. Competitors include Dow and Covestro. Revenue data not available to the public.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The specialty chemicals industry is influenced by raw material costs, regulatory changes, and economic cycles. Demand is driven by consumer spending and industrial production.
Positioning
Stepan is a mid-sized player focused on specialty chemicals. Its competitive advantage lies in its established customer relationships, diverse product portfolio, and technical expertise.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The global surfactants market is estimated to be over $40 billion, and the global polymers market is much larger. Stepan holds a fraction of this TAM, particularly focused on specific applications and regions.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Diverse product portfolio
- Strong customer relationships
- Technical expertise
- Efficient manufacturing operations
- Global presence
Weaknesses
- Exposure to raw material price volatility
- Limited pricing power
- Dependence on key customers
- Smaller scale compared to major competitors
- Currency risks
Opportunities
- Acquisitions to expand product lines and geographic reach
- Growth in emerging markets
- Development of sustainable and bio-based products
- Increased demand for specialty chemicals in specific applications
- Partnerships and collaborations
Threats
- Economic downturns
- Increased competition
- Regulatory changes
- Raw material price increases
- Disruptive technologies
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- CLARIANT (CLN.SW)
- BASF (BAS.DE)
- DOW (DOW)
- HUNTSMAN (HUN)
Competitive Landscape
Stepan competes with larger and smaller companies. Its strengths are its focused product lines and customer service. Weaknesses include smaller scale and pricing pressure.
Major Acquisitions
Allessa GmbH
- Year: 2018
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 73
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded European surfactant production capacity and customer base.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical Growth are not available through this AI. Look to the public SEC filings of the company for accurate financial metrics.
Future Projections: Future Projections are not available through this AI. Look to the public SEC filings of the company for accurate financial metrics.
Recent Initiatives: Recent Initiatives are not available through this AI. Look to the public SEC filings of the company for accurate financial metrics.
Summary
Stepan Company is a specialty chemical manufacturer with a diversified product portfolio and established customer base. Its strengths lie in its specialized products and customer relationships. However, the company faces challenges related to raw material price volatility and competition. Successfully navigating these factors and pursuing strategic acquisitions will be crucial for future growth.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company website
- SEC filings
- Industry reports
- Analyst estimates
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and is not financial advice. Market conditions can change rapidly, affecting the company's performance.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Stepan Company
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Northbrook, IL, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1992-03-17 | President, CEO & Director Mr. Luis E. Rojo | ||
Sector Basic Materials | Industry Specialty Chemicals | Full time employees 2396 | Website https://www.stepan.com |
Full time employees 2396 | Website https://www.stepan.com | ||
Stepan Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells specialty and intermediate chemicals to other manufacturers for use in various end products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. The Surfactants segment offers surfactants that are used in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products, including detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, and floors and walls, as well as shampoos and body washes; and other applications, such as fabric softeners, germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, lubricating ingredients; emulsifiers for spreading agricultural products; and industrial applications comprising latex systems, plastics, and composites. The Polymers segment provides polyurethane polyols that are used in the manufacture of rigid foam for thermal insulation in the construction industry, as well as a base raw material for coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE); polyester resins used in coating applications; specialty polyols, such as CASE and powdered polyester resins; and phthalic anhydride that is used in unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, and plasticizers for applications in construction materials, as well as components of automotive, boating, and other consumer products. The Specialty Products segment offers flavors, emulsifiers, and solubilizers for use in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement, and pharmaceutical applications. Stepan Company was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.
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